Daily Bullets (December 29)

Win Ten

Jenni Carlson says there was more than pride on the line in Orlando last night.

But lose to Virginia Tech, and it will deepen the disappointment, multiply the misery. Lose on Thursday, and it will end OSU’s string of 10-win seasons and forfeit a chance at history. The Cowboys have never had three consecutive 10 win seasons, and that would be no small feat.

Win, and this season could be a launching pad for this program. [NewsOK]

It’s hard to agree with that last point – you generally associate winning a lower-tier bowl with underclassmen if it’s to be a launching point (see 2014 Cactus Bowl) – but the ten-win number could sell well on the recruiting trail.

Rubber Meet Road

Oklahoma State men’s basketball takes on West Virginia tonight, where the weekly cupcake dessert will be replaced with a four-course meal full of nutrition.

The Cowboys were picked for last in the Big 12 in a preseason polling of coaches. Entering conference play, they appear capable of climbing out from that lowly projection, and received votes in the latest Associated Press poll.

Serious tests are upcoming, however, with six league teams ranked among the top 22. And OSU’s round-robin league schedule features two up front: West Virginia, followed by an early Bedlam showdown at No. 12 Oklahoma on Wednesday. [NewsOK]

It should be interesting – with two defense-first teams, this OSU-West Virginia game could be an SEC footballesque low-scoring game.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Why James Washington wears/wore No. 28….NYT gives great context on the tax dodge of college sports….Texas took out Missouri in the Texas Bowl Wednesday night, their coach says Big 12 plays some defense….Aaron Cochran and Oklahoma State was a mutually beneficial match

Amen.

"Could there be a more appropriate way for James Washington to become the all-time receiving leader? I think not." #okstate

— Hunziker Bot (@HunzikerSays) December 29, 2017

James Washington is now the all-time leader in receiving yards in #okstate history. What a year. What a career. pic.twitter.com/etKJAE5RW8

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) December 29, 2017

Jawun with an off the court assist for the win this Christmas.

.@j3vans1_ gave 30 children a Christmas to remember.

Story: https://t.co/cdGZWX2322

— Clipperholics (@ClipperholicsFS) December 27, 2017

Terrifying and hilarious. Five Marcus Keyes and Justice wins the Heisman, no?

On the bus back from Disney. Nearly have Marcus Keyes talked into replacing Washington next season. Hell of a target at 6’3 310! @JamalKeyes pic.twitter.com/uXkmlrR4XL

— Kasey Dunn (@kasey_dunn) December 25, 2017

TCU offered late but this is the three-star raffle ticket that hit the lottery. Here appears to be a close second.

Here's a look at James Washington's not-so-flashy ESPN recruiting page. Never give up on your dreams kids. pic.twitter.com/lewTUagpPM

— Marshall Scott (@Marshall_Once) December 29, 2017

Camping World Bowl Coverage on PFB

• Catch the final Ten Thoughts for the 2017 season
• Grab the Instacap for a brief breakdown
• Empty the notebook and get more thoughts on the game
• Get the highlights from the W
• See what folks had to say on social media about the game

What You Missed on PFB

• OSU wins ten games in three years for the first time
• Enjoy this last hype video of the football season
• Six statistical records being chased and those broken: Washington passing Rashaun, Mason gets the single-season
• This was fun – a look at top 25 recruits at OSU over the last 20 years

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Liked these creative ways to be generous
• Semi-helpful life tips from the perspective of a waiter
• PSA: why your iPhone goes slower after updates (more over time)